By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – The Shorter men's and women's basketball teams return to the welcome confines of their home court at the Winthrop-King Centre for their next two games when the Hawks and Lady Hawks host West Florida on Thursday and Valdosta State on Saturday in Gulf South Conference showdowns.

The Lady Hawks tip off against West Florida on Thursday starting at 6 p.m., with the men's game starting at 8. On Saturday against Valdosta, the women square off at 2 p.m. and the men play at 4.

Coming off a four-point conference road loss last Saturday to West Alabama, the Lady Hawks (4-9 overall, 2-5 GSC) are still searching for their first win of 2014 after four outings. Shorter's last win came on Dec. 20 against North Alabama.

Having won three of their four home games this season, the Lady Hawks are averaging 61 points a game while giving up 63 points a game to foes.

Karisma Boykin, who last week against Alabama-Huntsville turned in the best offensive performance of the season with a 27-point outburst, leads the Lady Hawks in scoring averaging 14 points an outing, while Ieshia Alexander is the only other Lady Hawk in double figures averaging 12.8 points. Lynette Harris and Kristin Nash are each averaging just under 10 points.

The West Florida Argos (9-3, 4-2) come to Rome tied for second place in the GSC standings and riding a four-game win streak having won all four of their games since the new year started, their most recent victory coming last Saturday over homestanding North Alabama.

The next challenge for the Lady Hawks comes Saturday against Valdosta State (8-4, 3-3), who square off against West Georgia on Thursday. Valdosta begins its two-game road trip having lost to UNA and Union last week.

Although the road has been hard on the Hawks – Shorter's men (5-8, 2-5) have dropped all six away games this season, including a conference loss in Livingston, Ala., to West Alabama – they have enjoyed success at WKC so far this year, the most recent home win coming last Thursday when they knocked off GSC foe Alabama-Huntsville.

Making the Hawks, who are averaging 85 points a game, a threat is a well-balanced offensive attack that features five players boasting double-digit scoring averages.

Dedric Ware is the tip of the Hawks' scoring spear averaging 18.4 points; Kurtis Woods is at 14.9; Jordan Jacks averages 14 points as well as 9.9 rebounds a game; Brandon Pullman has improved his average to 12.2; and Travis Jones is connecting for 10.1 points.

On Thursday, they will take on a West Florida squad (3-9, 2-4) that is fresh from upending host North Alabama last Saturday, while Valdosta (9-3, 3-3) arrives Saturday after seeking to end a two-game losing road streak in Carrollton against West Georgia on Thursday.

NOTES: During halftime of the s game Thursday, the Cave Spring Jumping Jackets jump rope team will perform… On Saturday, five members of Shorter's first-ever men's basketball team will be honored prior to the Hawks taking the floor… Also on Saturday, basketball ballhandling trick specialist Ilze Luneau, who has appeared on Ellen Degeneres, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and ESPN, will perform at halftime of both games.